Arms Importation: Customs introduces AEO to streamline goods clearance

Following the recent illegal flow of arms into the country, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) is set to introduce the Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) as means to curtail Importation of such dangerous ammunitions into the country.

The AEO is a programme introduced by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in conjunction with national Customs Administration to facilitate trade with the security situation associated with the import and export businesses across international borders.

This was made known by the Customs Controller General (CCG), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), who was represented by Patience Iferi, the Deputy Comptroller General of Customs on Strategic Research and Planning (SR&P).

According to her “the need for stakeholders in the maritime sector to get involved in the AEO is of enormous importance as this will further boost a safe framework of standards and as well secure and facilitate global trade as its been done in the other part of the world.

“If Uganda a very small country in terms of population and sizes can celebrate and embrace the AEO, why should Nigeria the giant of Africa not boast of the AEO?”
She further stressed that getting involved will help stakeholders to trade internationally rather than being limited to local trade.

Also speaking earlier, the Deputy Controller Mark L the AEO team Leader for Zone “A” informed that the “increase in volume of trade between and among countries and the changing trends in supply chain made it imperative for Customs administration to review the role of Customs in international trade, and as well sensitize the business community on the need for operations as AEO

On selection of operators, she emphasized that there is a need for stakeholders to be trustworthy and transparent as this is the major requirement to be an AEO operator.
Other requirement includes must be an economic operator and part of supply chain, a record of compliance with customs with customs legislation and taxation rules, including no record of serious criminal offences relating to the economic activity of the applicant.
The applicant should have operated in the country for three years and above without any problem with the relevant authorities in the country.

Stories by Babajide Okeowo